Mail box



1 June 10, 1930. M E HUGHES 1,762,477

MAIL BOX Filed June 15, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 51 1*??10. 10 I 55' yfj J6 J5 j I; Z; I N VEN TOR. I Byfld 'yiogpfl 14 J9 Ry D ATTORNEY.

J1me 1930- M. E. HUGHES 1,762,477

MAIL BOX Filed June 15. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented June 10, 1930 l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MYRON HES. or men MOUNTAIN, areal e MAIL 130? Application filed June 13, 192%. Serial No. 255,159.

This invention relates tomail boxes, and that changes, variations and modifications thus has for its object to provide a box of can be resorted to whichfall within the scope such class, in a manner as hereinafter set of the claims hereunto appended z.- forth, with means to prevent the opening In the drawings wherein like reference thereof surreptitiously orby an unauthorized characters denote corresponding parts person. throughout the several. views A further object of the invention is to pro Figure 1 is a front elevation of a mail box vide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, in accordance with this invention. a mail box accessible only to the owner there- Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view thereof 10 of and a mail carrier when occasion requires. and further illustrating in dotted lines the A further object of the invention is to proposition of a key for releasing the locking vide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a mechanism. mail box constructed and arranged in a man Figure 3 is an inverted plan of the box. ner whereby it will be convenient for the Figure 4 is a section on line 4-.4 Figure ,5 mail carrier when depositing mail through Figure 5 is a front elevation of the door.

the entrance slot of the box and further Figure 6 is a rear elevation of the door. whereby it can be conveniently opened by the Figures 7 ,8 and 9 are elevation of the keys mail carrier for depositing mail matter employed for opening the locking mechatherein of a size which cannot be passed nism. 2 through the entrance slot of the box. Figure 10 is a perspective view of a modi- 79 A further object of the invention is to protied form of releasing bar for the locking vide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a members of the locking mechanism.

mail box so constructed andarranged to pre- The mail box in accordance with this invent any possibility of the mail deposited ventlon comprises a one-piece open front therein being mutilated. caslng, housing or receptacle conslsting of a A further object of the invention is to prorear wall 1, a front wall 2, a pair of side vide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a walls 3, 4, a bottom 5 and an arch shaped mail box whereby access can be had thereto top 6. The front wall 2 is cut away from a by the owner or the mail carrier without any point above its lower end to its upper end so possibility of injury to the hands of the to provide an opening 7. The parts of the 80 owner or carrier and further without the front wall 2 arranged at the sides of the necessity of stretching ones hands when deopening 7 are termed vertically disposed positing mail or removing mail therefrom or flanges S, 9 and which extend from the i1nwhen opening the box. perforate part 10 of the front wallQ to the 25 Further objects of the invention are to protop 6 and merge into the latter. Preferably vide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a the casing, housing or receptacle. which is mail box which is simple in its construction indicated generally at 1']. is of rectangular and arrangement, strong, durable, thorcontour. oughly eflicient in its use, conveniently op- Fixcdly secured to the outer face of the erated, providing a great measure of safety front wall 2, at the top of the part 10 of such for the mail deposited therein, readily as wall, is a transversely extending combined sembled, and comparatively inexpensive to stop and reinforcing slat l2 having its manufacture. width materially less than its length. The \Vith the foregoing and other objects in slat 12 is secured in position by the holdfast 45 view the invention consists of the novel 0011 devices 13 and has its top edge extend across struction, combination and arrangement of the lower end of the opening 7. Secured to the parts as hereinafter more specifically deouter face of the front wall 2, atthe top scribed, and illustrated in the accompanying thereof by the holdfast devices 14 is a transdrawings, wherein is shownan embodiment versely extending combined reinforcing and 5 of the invention, but it is to be understood stop member in the form of a slat 15 which W an Mi.-

has its width materially less than its length. The slats 12 and 15 are secured against the flanges 8, 9. The bottom in proximity to the front thereof is formed with a lengthwise extending slot 16, for a purpose to be presently referred to.

Secured to the inner faces of the side walls 3, 4 and arranged in proximity to but spaced from the inner face of the front wall 2, as well as being co-extensive with the latter, are channel shaped vertically disposed guide rails 17 which are oppositely disposed and have the channels 1.8 thereof oppose each other. The rails 17 do not project beyond the inner side edges of the flanges 8, 9. The rails 17, in connection with the front Wall 2 provide a pair of guide channels 19 which are coextensive with the front wall 2.

Positioned within the channels 19 is a vertically movable door 20 which extends across the opening 7 and normally acts to close the major portion of said opening 7. The slot 16 ali ns with the channels 19 to permit of the passage of the door 20 through said slot 16 when the door 20 is lowered. The lower end of the door 20 isrounded as indicated at 21. The normal position of the door 20 is that the upper end thereof will be spaced from the slat to provide an entrance slot 22 to enable the mail to be deposited in the casing, housing or receptacle 11. The door centrally of its upper end is formed with a keyhole 22 which registers with a keyhole 23 formed in a reinforcing member 24 which is secured to and extends transversely of the outer face of the door 20 at the top of the latter. The member 24 has its top edge flush with the top edge of the door 20. The member 24 is of less length than the width of the door 20 and of a length to correspond to the width of the opening 7. The length of the member 24 is such that its ends will ride against the inner side edges of the flanges 8, 9 and prevent the wobbling of the door 20 when the latter is vertically adjusted relative to the front of the casing, housing or receptacle 11..

Secured to the rear face of the door 20 in close proximity to the keyhole 22 is a locking mechanism for said door and which consists of a block 25 having centrally thereof a verticallv disposed. T-shaped groove 29 which extends from the bottom to the top of the block. Slidably mounted in the groove 29 is a fiat 'ertically shiftable releasing member or ele ment for the locking members of the lock ing mechanism. The releasing member or element 1s indicated at 30, notched at 1t-s upper end as at 31 to provide a seat and provided in proximity to the seat 31 with a pair of superposed openings 32, 33 of different contour, and as shown by way of example in Figure 6 the opening 32 1s circular and the opening 33 polygonal, the openings however can be of any'shape desired. The opening 32 is employed for the reception of a key belonging to the owner for the purpose of releasing the locking mechanism and the opening 33 is employed for the reception of a master key which will be hereinafter more specifically referred to. The element in proximity to its lower end is provided with a pair of openings 34, 35.

The block 25 is provided at its side edges with a pair of oppositely extending, bifurcated lugs 36, 37 carrying pivot pins 38, 39 respectively for curved locking members 40, 41 respectively. Attached to the element 30, at the openings 34, are oppositely extending pull members 41, 42 respectively which at their outer ends, as at 43, 44 respectively extend into the locking members 40, 41 respectively. Vertically disposed apertured lugs 45, 46 are provided on the locking members 40, 41 respectively. Attached to the lugs 35, 46 and the pivot pins 38, 39 are controlling springs 47, 48 respectively.

A casing 25 encloses the locking mechanism and which is secured to the rear of door 20. The casing 25 has a top opening 26 for passage member 30 and openings 27 in its sides for passage of locking members 40, 41. A pivoted door 28 is arranged at thefront of the entrance slot or opening for the mail.

The locking members 40,41 are adapted to engage in sockets or openings 49, 50 respectively formed in the guide rails 17. The springs 47, 48 act to retain the locking members 40, 41 within the openings 49, 50 for the purpose of locking or latching the door 21 in its elevated position to close the major portion of the opening 7.

When the element 30 is elevated the pull members 41, 42 are carried therewith, and act to withdraw the locking members from the openings 49, 50 thereby releasing the door and the latterv can be lowered. The position of the openings 49, 50 with respect to the upper end of the front wall 2 is such as to receive the locking members 40, 41 to latch or lock the door a sufficient distance below the slat 15 to provide for the entrance slot or opening 22 for the mail matter. Although there is illustrated each guide 17 provided with a single opening to receive a locking member, yet it is to be understood that each guide can be provided with a series of superposed openings permitting of the door 20 to be latched or locked the desired distance from the slat 15 to increase or decrease the width of the entrance opening or slot 22.

lVit-h reference to Figure 7 the key 51 illustrated thereby is the key which belongs to the owner and which operates in the opening lVith reference to Figure 8 the key 52 illustrated thereby is a master key and is used by the mail carrier for the purpose of unlocking the door 20 and said key 52 is extended into the opening 33.

It will e ass m d t t e e a ea er e of letter boxes, constructed in accordance with this invention within the neighborhood, but each box would have a separate owners key so that the door 20 can be unlocked, but each owners key would be different from one another. However, the letter carrier would have a master key which could open any one 'key which is employed in connection with the modified form of releasing element as shown in Figure 10. The key illustrated in Figure 9 is designated 54,- and the releasing element shown in Figure 10 is designated and is formed with a polygonal shaped opening 56, an opening 57 arranged above the opening 56 and said element 55 has its top edge 58 of V-con-tour and with the edges of said top edge merging into the side Walls of the opening 57. The element 55 has openings 59 and 60 for connecting therewith the pull members ll, 42.

The arrangement of the locking mechanism for said several boxes will be such as to have a series of different shaped keyholes to overcome one party using the next neighbors key and still be free from duplication by having rounded corners in each type or shape of hole, for instance one hole will be diamond shaped and another heart shaped, etc. The form of releasing element 55 shown in Figure 10 is provided with the open slot or opening '57 and keyhole 56 and they are so arranged to overcome any lock tampering by wire or duplication of the original key.

'-' nism is released.

It is to be understood, however, that the locking mechanism carried by the door 20 can he of any suitable construction for the purpose intended.

Arranged within the upper portion of the casing. housing or receptacle ll rearwardly with respect to the entrance opening 22 is a hinged closure flap 61 for said opening and raid la p is mounted to swing rearwardly for the passage of mail matter through the opening 22. The normal position of the flap 61 is in a depending position so as to close the opening 22 to normally prevent the entrance of foreign bodies to the receptacle.

The door 20 has projecting outwardly therefrom, near its upper end a yoke-shaped handle member 62 to facilitate the shifting of the door, and said handle 62 cooperates with the slat 12 to limit the downward movement of the door when the locking mecha- The rounded lower end 21 of the door facilitates its passage through the slot 16 formed in the bottom 5. The length of the door is such that it will extend from the bottom 5 to a point in proximity to the upper end of the front wall 2.

It is thought the many advantages of a mail box, in accordance with this invention can be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described,.yet it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction can be had which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:

1. A mail box comprising a casing having an open front, a vertically movable door for closing said open front, means on the rear of the door and engaging with the casing to lock the door in position to partly close said open front to provide an entrance opening at the top of the front of the casing for the passage of mail into the latter, said means including a releasing member therefor provided with a pair of' different shaped openings, one to receive a box owners key and a the other to receive a mail carriers key for shifting said member to operate it to unlock the door.

A mail box comprising a casing having an open front, a vertically movable door for closing said open front, means on the rear of thedoor and engaging with the casing to lock the door in position to partly close said open front to provide an entrance opening at the top of the front of the casing for the passage of mail into the latter, said means in cluding a releasing member therefor provided with a pair of different shaped openings, one to receive a box owners key and the other to receive a mail carriers key for shifting said member to operate it to unlock the door, means within the casing to provide guides for the door, and the bottom of said casing having a slot for the passage of the door downwardly when the latter is unlocked.

. 3. A mail box comprising a casing having an open front, a vertically movable door for closing said open front, and releasable means carried by the door for engaging the casing for locking said door in a position to provide a mail entrance opening for the casing hctween the top wall thereof and the upper edge of said door.

4. A mail box comprising a 'asing having an open front, aperfured guide rails within said casing and providing in connect-ion with the latter guide grooves, a vertically movable door mounted in said guide grooves and providing for closing the open front of the cas- .1

ing, spring controlled locking members carried by the door, tra elling in said guide rails and further engaging in the apertures in the rails for locking said door in a position to provide a mail entrance opening for the casi ing between the top'wall thereof and the upper edge of said door and further for maintaining the door in position to close the major portion of the open front of the casing, and key operated releasing means for said looking members.

5. A mail box comprising a casing having an open front, apertured guide rails within said casing and providing in connection with the latter guide grooves, a vertically movable door mounted in said guide grooves and providing for closing the open front of the casing, spring controlled locking members carried by the door, travelling in said guide rails and further engaging in the apertures in the rails for locking said door in a posit-ion to provide a mail entrance opening for the casing near the top thereof and further for maintaining the door in position to close the major portion of the open front of the casing, key operated releasing means for said locking members, and said key operated releasing means including a plurality of different shaped openings to provide for its operation by a plurality of different shaped keys for boX owners and a master key for mail men.

6. A mail box comprising a casing having an opening in its front, a vertically movable door within the casing for closing said opening, and locking means for and carried by the door, said means including different shaped openings for selectively receiving different shaped keys for releasing said means to per mitfor the shifting of the door.

7. A mail box comprising a casing having an opening in its front, a vertically movable door for partly closing said opening to proide a mail entrance opening for the casing near the top of the latter, and locking means carried by the door and engaging with said casing to lock the door in a position to provide said mail entrance opening, said looking means including different shaped openings for receiving different shaped keys for releasing the locking means.

8. A mail box comprising a casing having an open front, a vertically movable door for closing said front, releasable means for locking said door in closed position with respect to said open front, and a vertically movable releasing element for said releasing means and including a pair-of different shaped opens ings each. for the reception of a different shaped key for operating said element to move said means to release.

9. A mail box comprising a casing having a closed top, bottom,'sides, rear and an open front, a vertically movable door for closing said front, means for locking said door to partly close said open front to provide in connection with the top of the door and cas mg a mail entrance opening, and means so lectively engaged and operated by keys of different contour for releasing said locking means.

means carried by the door and selectively I engaged and operated by keys of different contour for shifting said members to released position to unlock the door.

11. A mail box comprising a casing having a closed top, bottom, rear, sides and an open front, a vertically movable door for closing said front, oppositely disposed, spring controlled locking members carried by the door and engaging with the casing for locking the door to partly close said front to provide in connection with the top of the door and casing a mail entrance openin means carried by the door and selectively engaged and operated by keys of different contour for shifting said members to released position to unlock the door, and guiding means within the casing for said door and locking members.

In testimony whereof, I a'liix my signature hereto.

MYRON E. HUGHES.

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